Most home occupations need only a Home Occupation Declaration and Zoning Clearance from the Planning Department if they involve customer visits, deliveries, outside activity, outside storage, or group instruction. Rural or agricultural-district sites need a special permit.
Under HCC 25-4-13(c), a person whose home occupation involves frequent customer or client visits, frequent deliveries or pickups, outdoor storage, outdoor activities, or group instruction must file a declaration with the Planning director verifying compliance with the 25-4-13(b) standards. The form (Home Occupation Declaration and Zoning Clearance) is filed with the County of Hawai'i Planning Department. Sites within the State land use rural or agricultural district must instead obtain a special permit under 25-4-13(d). Only one non-household employee is allowed, and one extra parking space is required if the business has client visits.
Operating a qualifying home occupation without the required declaration or special permit is a Zoning Code violation carrying a civil fine of up to $500 per day under HCC 25-2-35.
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